Representações sociais de enfermeiros da Atenção Primária à Saúde sobre a assistência às pessoas em sofrimento mental

Abstract

This study aimed to understand the social representations of nurses regarding the assistance provided in primary health care to people in mental distress and to analyze how the social representations of nurses in primary health care interfere with the quality of care provided to people in mental distress. The work is a descriptive and exploratory study, with a qualitative approach, using the Theory of Social Representations as a theoretical-methodological framework. The research was developed in the Basic Health Units (UBS) that provide assistance, based on the Family Health Strategy, belonging to the municipality of Juiz de Fora, located in Zona da Mata Mineira. To capture the information, semi-structured interviews were used with twenty nurses. Data collection took place between December 2021 and February 2022, after approval of the project by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Juiz de Fora. The interviews were recorded on electronic media, using a voice recorder, ensuring the reliability of the transcription of the statements into the Microsoft Word® 2010 program, in a way that met all ethical and legal aspects. The interviews were transcribed and organized, three categories emerging: welcoming as a mental health care strategy in Primary Health Care; potentialities and difficulties of nurses in assisting users in mental distress; and Primary Health Care in the daily lives of users in mental distress. Data analysis followed Bardin's Content Analysis perspective. It was concluded that although nurses understand the work process in assisting people in mental distress, the reality of implementation presents difficulties on their part. It is believed that knowing what these professionals do, understanding their representations, made it possible to understand the reasons that lead them or not to do what should be done. This research showed that it is possible to analyze and question ideas and advance discussions beyond the focus on mental suffering in order to deconstruct the stigma still associated with it. Furthermore, it is crucial to constantly review the approaches used to care for people with mental suffering, train health professionals from all areas and promote public policies that not only guarantee rights, but also the implementation and quality of care.